The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1887-10-21

Monsieur Sllvain's Secret.
by Mary r.. Penn.
A STORY.

w VI ~ tuNU WIN ~ CF7CtVig UC
lug u brisk, dapper, cheerful littlt
gentleman Of middle age, with d
round, clesD.shaven face, short
sighted blue eyes, and a mouth
which wore u perpetual smile.
For about three years be had oc
cupied rooms in the Rae Vavin. on
the second floor OF u house neau
the LuxembOrg Gardens. EVERY
day, Sundays and fetes not excerpt,
ed, he left home vt nine aud return.
ed at six, but how be was occupied
dnring his absence was q mystery.
When questioned ne to the natnrc
OF his business or profession, Mon.
sleur Silvain either politely evaded
the inquiry or else pstridPd the IN.
terrOgatoT with q stony stare which
etectually checked further indiscre-
ton. He was reputed to be rich
and WAS known TO be generous,
while his politeness and geniality
commended him to every one.
Even old MusaId, his concierge,
though aggrieved by the "second.
1OOT's7 uuaccountable reserve, had
been heard TO admit that stthere
couldn't be much harm in y man
who had q good word tor every
one, carried bOnb0ns in his pockets
for the children, and was a prOvi. |
dence to all the poor in the neigh
borhOod."
Such was Monsieur Silvain, and
such had been the tenor of his life
for three years or Whereabouts,
when, one bleak November even.
ing, having returned to his apart
ments at the usual hour, and made
some changes in his dress, he pre-
pared to sally forth again to the
restaurant where be was in tue
habit Of dining. JauntiIy descend
lug the stairs be was crossing the
landing below his own, when he
was arrested by an unusual sound
preceding from the rooms which
opened on to it. de was on terms
OF neighborly intimacy with its oc q
cupant, the elderly widow of a re-
tired colonel, but it Was certainly
neither Madam Evrard nor Marthe,
her stout bonne, who was singing
With such thrilling PathOs the old
melody of "Ma NOrmandip.n
"Charming, c%harming!' CON-
mented Monsieur silly ain halt
aloud, refreshing himself from his
sHnft box a. he listened. "a pure
soprano, admirably trained. 81
wonder who madam's visitor a be
and whether her face matches her
voice. BY the by, | owe my neigh
Dor Il VISIT" Without further hes.
he rang tue bell.
Instead of the buxOm Marthe in
her white cap aud apron il was a
young lady who answered the sum.
sweet.taced, fair barred
plrl of nineteen in a wrlI. worn
black dress with u knot of winter
al her breast. The effect OF
his pleasant appartiOu on MOu.
Silvaln n remarkable moi,
% say my steriOus. He prerel at I
Ter dOnbtfully for y moment
Trough his eyeglaSs, then starring :
'nd drew back, giving her \ glance .
wondering aud delighted Tecog. !
ltion. PeIctiving, however, that }
was no answering conscious. .
on beer face, but surprise and
o'ne amusement at his bc wilderrd b
xpresSIOD, he quickly recovered j
imself and Salured her with celr. !.
mniOus ~pOliteneSs. .
"PauiOn, madrmoisplle. Can o
ave the pleasure of seeing Madam n
y Ii
She inclined her head in assent
preceded him across The ante
lainbrr into cosy little panpllcd
'onl, lighted only 10y the Pickering q
ram Ot a wood fire, which reveal
the figure of its occupant sittin. Or
upright ia a high. back
'ir by The hearth khIttIn! rner- o.
'ilcally. The Oficrr'S widow WAS
fdir-h'ired, well. preserved NO
OF fifty, with a quick manner eli
ID a sbrewd but rot unkindly -
20.
"Ah, Monsieur Silvain, is it youf r.
Lhonght you hsd forgotten me-" IN
9 said, %arrrsting her knitting
Tor u IN TO shake hands
him. "Take a seat, and lei a
Introduce you 10 this Young
end OF mine, the orphan daughter 4
an old cOmrade OF my husband.
nee, my neigbbor, Monsieur Sill.
Bringing bis heels together, The -
bowed with the grace Of IN.
Of the Old regime, mnr lar
lfing with Il Smilp thai he was n
"a
u hope you happen TO b. fond uee
mnSlc," the widow prOcrrdrd go,
lsily, "iOr Renee is come to live Cos
I'D ue, aud ii will he unfortunate fro,
N.u are annoyed 10y hrr practic tie'
cas-
say an III thing OF y pei lam =,
thou :anst SAY a good Thing tho
an